Welcome back! And thanks to lightningwizard and Sephirothxx for reviewing.
lightningwizard- I dunno if Matt's smart, or just smarter then the other two. and i changed the rating since both my reviewers said the cursing wasn't that bad. Don't worry, i do plan to change the plot.
Sephirothxx- sorry about the proofreading. I tried to catch as many mistakes as i could this time through, but i never was very good at it. and if you check now, i'm pretty sure i fixed the error with Andy not entering. that really confused me since when i checked the orignial he actually did enter, but who knows.
One last thing. For all you Yu-Gi-Oh fans out there, myself included, try reading 'From the Past' by sailorarctic! it's a really good story, especially if you're a bakura fan!
and now on with the chapter!
Chapter 3: Aeons, and Lions
As the three boys walked out of the crusaders hut they saw a big crowd gathering around. Not sure what was going on they ran over to see what all the commotion was about.
"What's going on Wakka?" Matt asked when they found the blitzer and Tidus in the crowd.
"Just keep watching bruddas, you'll see." Wakka said as he pointed towards a young girl with brown hair and two different colored eyes, one green and one blue. "Ready!" He yelled to the girl.
"Okay." She replied. She did some movements and a glyph formed on the ground below her. Right after that a giant bird appeared. It looked rather ragged and not exactly friendly, but it gave off a calming feeling to everyone nearby.
"What the in god's name was that?" Ryan asked in awe as he watched the bird fly off.
"That was Valefor, Yuna's first Aeon, ya?" Wakka said, giving Ryan a friendly slap on the back. "Hey Yuna, come here!" Wakka yelled suddenly. "Yuna, these are the other three kids I met at the beach. This is Ryan, that's Matt, and the big one's Andy." He said, pointing to each one as he said their name. "Guys, this is Yuna."
"Nice to meet all of you." Yuna said, bowing.
"The pleasure is ours." Ryan said, bowing awkwardly, Matt and Andy quickly following suit.
"Well I'll see you at the party later!" Yuna said as she ran off to her hut.
"Is it me, or did she seem a little too happy to you two?" Andy asked.
"After summoning something like that, I'd be pretty damn happy too. I'd be happy if I could some a freaking gecko." Ryan said with a laugh as he glanced around, not seeing Wakka or Tidus at all. "So now what?"
"Dunno." Matt said. "We could always explore a little."
"Might as well." Andy said with a sigh. "Maybe we'll find something interesting to do. I dunno about you guys, but I'm bored out of my mind."
"Wait, you actually have a mind?" Ryan asked sarcastically as they walked out of the village and towards the beach.
"Very funny." Andy said with a laugh.
"Hey guys, what's a dog doing out here?" Matt asked when they were nearly to the beach.
"What are you talking about?" Ryan asked as he followed Matt's gaze. Ryan's eyes popped open. "That's not a dog dude." He said as he drew his sword, now that it was close enough to see that it was too large to be a dog.
It jumped at the group, which quickly scattered. Growling it turned on Andy and charged again. He twisted as it jumped by, but still felt its claws slice his side open. Turning so that he was facing the coyote head on he a rock flew by his head, slamming into the things head.
"What the hell took you two so long?" Andy growled as another rock slammed into the coyote and Ryan ran up next to him, sword drawn.
"Sorry, we got disoriented." He said with a nervous chuckle. "But enough about us, why don't we deal with the problem on hand?"
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"Well boys, let's see what you can do." Wakka said as he twirled his blitzball on his finger, watching the fight.
"Don't you think you should help them Wakka? That thing could kill them." Yuna asked as she walked up behind them.
"Don't worry, ya? I'll jump in if they need help. No pain no gain, right?" Wakka said, turning to look at the young Summoner. "Hey, don't worry. They doing okay so far, ya?"
"I guess. I've never had to fight a fiend before." Yuna said as she watched the three boys struggling to fight off the lone coyote. "Wakka?" She said suddenly.
"What's up?" He asked.
"Coyote's always hunt in packs." Yuna whispered.
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"Die already you damn dog wannabe!" Andy yelled as he punched out with his fist blades, barely grazing the agile coyote.
"Hey guys, this isn't working." Matt said as he watched the coyote that, despite bleeding from dozens of small wounds, prepare to attack again.
"Here we go again." Ryan said with a sigh as the coyote jumped at the group, latching onto Andy's arm with its jaw. "Bastard!" Ryan yelled as he ran his sword through the creature's side, not stopping until the finger guard hit the creature's furry coat.
"Go to hell!" Matt yelled as he brought his axe down on the coyote's neck, severing it from the rest of its body. Rather then being sprayed with blood the body fell limp and firefly looking things started floating out of it.
"What the fuck?" Ryan wondered aloud as he helped Andy remove the still clenched jaw from his forearm. "This is screwed up. Fireflies come out of dead things now?"
"Worry about the fireflies later." Matt said suddenly. "Looks like the rest of the pack wants revenge."
"Tell me you're kidding." Ryan said as he turned around and sighed when he saw two more charging down the path. "Run to the beach! Get in the water!"
"Why?" Andy asked as they turned and ran.
"If we're in water up to our waist, they're doing the doggie paddle." Ryan said with a smile. Andy smiled, understanding as they reached the sand.
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"The beach? Wonder why they'd head to the beach, ya?" Wakka wondered aloud as he took off after the boys, Yuna right behind him. "Hey wait, isn't Lu at the beach?" Wakka asked, his face paling as Yuna nodded. "Poor guys." He muttered.
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By the time the three boys had reached the water the coyotes chasing them were almost close enough for Ryan to hit with his sword. Without breaking stride they dove head first into the water, hearing the coyotes running in quickly.
'They took the bait.' Ryan thought as he turned so he could see how close the coyotes were to having to swim. The water was already up to his waist, and he didn't feel like going any deeper if he didn't have to. When he turned he saw the first coyote coming at him, jaws open and in mid-air. 'Shit.' He thought, his mind freezing up and his knees giving out on him. As he fell beneath the crystal clear waters of Besaid he watched as an axe ripped through the coyotes back, while a dagger punctured it's skull, only a few drops of blood hitting the water before the fireflies came out of the body of the very dead coyote.
"You okay?" Matt asked as he helped Ryan out of the somewhat bloody water.
"Yeah, as good as can be expected for a guy that nearly got his skull crushed by a coyote." He muttered as he glanced around. "Weren't there two?" He asked, confused by the absence of a second body.
"Fire!" Someone yelled from the shore, and something behind the boys erupted into flames, drastically raising the temperature of the water, and sending them running towards the shore.
"What the hell was that?" Andy asked once they'd made it into cooler waters.
"It was just a basic fire spell." A woman with an oriental hairstyle, black lipstick, and the most interesting outfit the boys had ever seen worn on a normal day said. The chick was showing cleavage out the wazzu. Not to mention having a dress made of belts and carrying around a doll. They all came to the same silent conclusion. Holy shit! "You make it sound like you've never seen black magic before."
"Can't say that I have." Andy said as he started to stand up, cradling his bitten arm. Ryan made sure to crush his toes for his stupidity as he stood up.
"Is that so?" The woman asked with an emotionless expression. Not what they had expected to hear. "Then you must be some of the ones that Wakka found on the beach." She stated more then asked. "Sin's toxins must be stronger then I thought." She said as she started back towards the town.
The three boys stared in confusion. How the hell had she figured that out, or were they that stupid? "Hey wait," Ryan said, grabbing her arm to stop her. Big mistake. She turned around, threw her arm up, and brought it back down, her face contorted with rage. As soon as she finished a lightning bolt flew out of nowhere, slamming into Ryan and sending him to the ground in pain.
"That was a bit excessive, don't you think Lu?" Wakka asked as he and Yuna burst onto the scene. "Yuna, I think he needs some help, ya?" Wakka said, turning to the Summoner. She nodded.
"Cure!" She yelled, pointing her staff at Ryan's still twitching body. A bright flash followed by some sparkles and Ryan sat up, looking overly confused. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah… what was that?" He asked as he stood up, notably slow.
"What, you've never seen white magic before either?" Lu asked, back to her emotionless expression. "You are hopeless." She said before walking off.
"Yuna's not just a Summoner, she's a white mage too, ya?" Wakka said with a grin. "That means if you get hurt, she can fix you back up brudda."
"That's good to know." Ryan said. "Think you might be able to help Andy out?" He asked, pointing at the now blood soaked arm, and side.
"Oh wow, that coyote got you good, ya?" Wakka asked while Yuna cast the spell on Andy.
"Shut up." Andy replied quickly. "It's not like any of us have ever done this before. Hell, I've never even been in a real fight before."
"You've never been in a fight before? Man, you don't know what you're missing." Ryan said sarcastically as he wiped his blade off and sheathed it.
"Well let's go back to the village. There's gonna be a big party for Yuna soon, ya?" Wakka said happily. "And if we meet anymore fiends, let me take care of them, ya?" He added with a laugh as they started back to the village, quickly catching up with Lu. When the six reached the village they went there separate ways, until the party started.
"Let me introduce you to the team." Wakka said as he put his arm around Tidus' shoulder. "This guy wanted into the tournament so bad, I let him on the team. His memory's a little fuzzy though, so don't mind him if he says anything weird, ya?" He said as he pushed Tidus forward. "Come on, say hi."
"Uh… hi guys." Tidus said nervously. He relaxed when the entire team replied in a jolly tone. "So what's our goal?"
"To do our best!" The Aurochs replied in unison.
'No wonder they never win. The entire team believes that.' Matt thought as he, Ryan, and Andy came up on the scene.
"Nope, we got a new goal this year!" Wakka cut in suddenly. "Our new goal is… Victory! To win every match, defeat every opposing team! To bring the Crystal Cup back to our island! That's all we need to do to win, easy ya?"
There was an uneasy silence for a few seconds as the Aurochs thought about what Wakka had said. For a second Matt wondered if the Aurochs would accept victory as their new goal. His worries vanished when the entire team started chanting 'Victory' in unison.
"Hey, looks like Tidus hasn't met Yuna yet." Ryan said quietly, pointing to Tidus who was being called some names by the local people as he approached Yuna. They watched as the two held a short conversion before Yuna went off with a little girl. As Tidus walked back towards the three boys Wakka walked up and started talking with Tidus. Wakka laughed and Tidus went into Wakka's hut, apparently ready to call it a day.
"Hey if you guys get tired, just go on into my hut, ya? I made up some beds earlier, but it's gonna be a tight squeeze with the five of us in there." The blitzer said with a smile.
"Thanks Wakka." Ryan said as Wakka went back over to his team. Throughout the night the three boys drifted into the hut, and fell asleep in, what seemed to them, the most impossible positions they could ever imagine.
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"How do you like Spira?" The Fayth asked Matt who once again found himself in an abyss with purple fog.
"It's certainly interesting." Matt replied icily. "Now what the hell are we supposed to do about protecting Yuna? We can barely kill a freaking Coyote." Matt yelled, frustrated more at his lack of knowledge then lack of combat experience.
"You have powers that you do not yet know of. They will make themselves evident as time goes on." The Fayth replied.
"You know more then you're letting on." Matt said flatly. "What aren't you telling us?"
The Fayth turned their back on him for a minute, discussing something amongst themselves. "There is a legend that few ever knew of, and many have forgotten, in Spira. It involves Yu Yevon, the only remaining god, the central figure of the Yevon faith. In the early days there were six gods. Yu Yevon, Dnortih, Vena, Usi, Zedih, and finally Sin."
"Wait, Sin's the thing all the Summoners keep killing." Matt said. "Why would they kill a god?"
"Let us finish and you will understand." The Fayth said in a monotone voice. When Matt nodded to continue, "The gods also had a number of angels under their command, for when they needed to communicate or protect certain lower beings from danger. Most powerful was the Guardian Angel Lusniec. His skill was unrivaled, even by the leader of the archangels, the army of the upper planes. Yu Yevon was the strongest of the gods, but he was also the most paranoid. He constantly lived in fear of the other five overthrowing him. Eventually he decided to destroy them, to secure his place as the most powerful god of all. Lusniec discovered Yu Yevon's plan, and warned the other five gods. While Dnortih, Vena, Usi, and Zedih were thankful for the warning, Sin grew angry. He struck out at Lusniec, killing the angel instantly."
"Damn Sin." Matt muttered, disliking the monster more each time he heard about it.
"However, Lusniec was no fool." The Fayth continued. "He knew that Sin was quick to anger, but being a guardian angel he could not leave Sin to his fate. So after warning the other gods, he gave almost all of his power to one human. When that human was sent to the farplane, or this world's after life," The Fayth added at Matt's confused look, "Lusniec's power transferred itself to another person who desired to protect those precious to them. The four elemental gods, Dnortih, Vena, Usi, and Zedih also did this, locking their power away into a single person similar to them." The Fayth said. "And then Yu Yevon destroyed the only ones able to challenge him. Over time he learned of Sin killing Lusniec, and resurrected the god of death as the monster that the high summoners now face."
"And you brought us here because you think we have that power?" Matt asked with a laugh. "Hello, we aren't even from this world. How the hell could we have those powers?"
"The world you come from does not matter." The Fayth said. "What matters is only that you very well may have the powers. If there were any chance that you do, it would be too dangerous to remain in your world until you learned to control them. If you really do hold powers from any of the destroyed gods, then you will be an incredible asset to Yuna and her cause. Do not forget why we brought you here, ever.
"So you don't know for sure if we have these powers." Matt said with a sigh, turning his back on the Fayth. "Well, guess you three have done your research."
"You always watch lightning." The Fayth said suddenly. Matt turned around to face them slowly. "You feel at ease when you watch it, despite the fact that many fear it. You stand in the middle of a field even though many have died doing this. Yet you live."
"How did you know that?" Matt asked, his voice shaking slightly. "And what does that have to do with anything?"
"We did our research." The Fayth replied as a bright white light began to engulf Matt. "It matters, because that same habit has been seen in wielders of the lightning god's powers before."
"So what!" Matt yelled angrily, forcefully driving the light away. "Ryan stands there with me, he's at peace during those times as well. You've got no solid proof that we have any of these powers you keep talking about. You just chose us because we had just died and weren't ready to give up on life, didn't you!" Matt yelled, grabbing the closest of the three Fayth by the collar of its hood.
Silently the Fayth lifted its head so that it was looking Matt directly in the eyes. "Ryan is here too, is he not? Whether or not you do posses the powers of the gods, the fact still remains that your destiny lays here!" It said with a quiet malice that sent a shiver down Matt's back. "Do not forget that we brought you here. We also have the power to destroy you!" Before Matt could reply a painfully bright white light engulfed his vision.
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Matt sat up slowly, the sun just coming up. 'Damn it, sunrise.' He thought as he tried to shield his eyes from the sun that seemed bent on keeping him awake. With a sigh of resignation he stood up carefully, and stretched as he walked out into the cool morning.
With his eyes still adjusting he didn't notice Ryan sneaking up behind him until he was pulled into the shadows of the hut, Ryan's one hand covering his mouth, and signaling for Matt to be quiet with the other. He nodded. "What the hell are you doing?"
"Listen." Ryan whispered quickly. "And watch." He said as he pointed to Wakka and Lulu who were arguing as they came down the path and into the town. "They've been at it since before I was up." Ryan said with a sigh. "They were so loud they didn't even notice me following them."
"I can understand them not noticing you, you freakin' assassin wanna-be," Matt said drawing a smile from Ryan, "but they've been going at it since before you were up? Damn, must be pretty bad. That's what, three, four hours now?"
"At least. I don't think they've even gone to sleep tonight. Here they come, quiet." Ryan said as the two slipped into the shadows again, seemingly vanishing from the face of the earth. 'Guess having no life does pay off from time to time. Then again, dodging cops after curfew does too I guess.'
Just before Wakka and Lulu were in hearing distance Tidus screamed something that Matt missed, having been vainly attempting to hear Wakka and Lulu's conversation. 'What the hell?' He wondered for a few seconds before shaking it off as Wakka and Lulu suddenly came close enough for him to hear.
"He's dead, okay! Dead!" Lulu yelled. "He does look a lot like Chappu. I was surprised, too, the first time I saw him. But no matter what he looks like, he isn't Chappu. You shouldn't have brought him here in the first place!" She stated.
'Damn, and Wakka's been dealing with this all morning?' Matt thought, pitying the poor blitzer.
"Yeah but… he needed our help." Wakka said in what seemed, to Matt and Ryan,
a pitiful attempt at defense against Lu's seemingly unstoppable wrath.
"Excuses again?" Lu asked in annoyance.
"Yeah, but…"
"That's it. Enough! No more Wakka!" Lu yelled before walking off in a rage.
"Scary. So who's Chappu?" Tidus asked, coming out of the hut.
"My little brother. He looked a like you." Wakka said sadly.
"He's dead?" Tidus asked quietly.
'Tactful Tidus.' Ryan thought as he motioned for Matt to go around the back of the hut and make for the temple. "Well that was interesting…" Ryan said once they were safely behind the temple.
"Either I'm over perceptive, or Lu had a motive she wasn't showing. No way she's just angry that Wakka helped Tidus out." Matt stated as they sat down to digest what they had just overheard.
"Well either way, I don't think it's really any of our business." Ryan said as he closed his eyes and leaned his head against the stone of the temple.
"What's none of your business?" Yuna asked from right above Ryan, causing his eyes to pop open in surprise and Matt to burst out laughing.
"Holy… crap man, she… schooled you!" He said through fits of laughter. Yuna looked from Ryan to Matt, confused and waiting for an explanation. "Ryan and me used to sneak around a lot. Sticking to the shadows, not being seen, sneaking up on people without them noticing until we tap them on the shoulder, or let them know we were there." Matt said when he'd regained control of himself. "Nobody ever seemed to be able to sneak up on us before, and Ryan never noticed you standing there."
"I see." Yuna said with a giggle. "Sorry."
Ryan shrugged. "Not your fault I wasn't paying attention. Don't worry, I'll scare you later and we'll be even." He said with a playfully evil grin. Even though he was joking he heard Yuna gulp, and noted her shifting uneasily. "Don't worry, it won't be bad. I'll probably just sneak up on you and not say anything until you notice me. That tends to do the trick."
"Well I have to go." Yuna said with a smile. "Take care, and keep outta Lu's way. She seems to be in a bad mood today."
"Okay, take care Yuna!" Ryan said as the two boys waved good-bye to the cheerful Summoner.
"Well now what?" Matt asked once she was gone.
"Well we could practice blitzball." Andy said as he walked up behind the two, though he didn't surprise either of them. The rubber on the soles of his shoes had been smacking around the temple for a while now.
"What, Wakka's actually gonna make them practice after that?" Matt asked, more then slightly surprised. "Guys got a hell of a lot of stamina, that's for sure."
Ryan nodded. "Well, it's either that or go fight some more fiends." He said, standing up with a grin. "I'd rather play blitzball, but I'll go either way, so long as Lu's not watching again."
"I don't care either way." Matt said. "But I'm not going down that path without my axe. Not after getting jumped like that yesterday."
"Well I for one don't wanna have to deal with any coyotes that I don't have to deal with. I'm all for blitzball." Andy said, absently rubbing his arm where the coyote had bitten him.
"Then it looks like we're going to be playing blitzball." Ryan said. "I'm surprised though Andy. Don't wanna pay those bastards back for your arm?"
Andy laughed. "I think me and Matt took care of that with the one in the ocean." He said as he reached into the large belt pouch and pulled out his gloves. "But if they show up again, I'll just have to give an encore!"
Laughing the three grabbed Ryan and Matt's weapons out of Wakka's hut before heading down to the ocean to train with Aurochs the rest of the day. When they were getting ready to leave for the day Wakka called the Aurochs into a huddle.
"Okay boys, the tournament starts tomorrow!" He said. "Now I got a few questions for you. First off, what's our goal?"
The Aurochs smiled and yelled in unison, "Victory!"
"Good, now next thing I wanna ask you is, since we've already let Tidus on the team, whaddya say we let these three on as subs, ya?" Wakka asked, shoving a finger at Ryan, Matt, and Andy who were too far away to hear the conversation. "They've gotten a lot better ya, and if anyone gets hurt it's not like we won't be used to working with them. Besides, they need our help and it's too late for them to get tickets to Luca." The Aurochs smiled and nodded before walking over and surrounding the three. "We was wondering if you wanna join our team, ya?" Wakka asked as soon as he got to the center of the circle. "There's that big tournament coming up in Luca. I'm sure somebody would recognize you there, and it's too late to get anymore tickets for the boat ride over."
The boys chuckled. "So that's what the team huddle was really about." Matt stated with a grin. "Sure, why not. Not very good at the game yet, but if you're offering…"
"Great, what about you guys? You two gonna join?" Wakka asked, turning on Ryan and Andy.
"Need you ask?" Ryan asked, and Andy nodded in agreement. "Jeez Wakka, we've gotta put everything you taught us to good use eventually don't we?"
"Yeah, I guess so." Wakka said with a laugh. "It's settled then. We'll pick you up tomorrow at noon, so don't go wandering off before then."
"What about Tidus? Have you told him when the boat was leaving yet?" Ryan asked.
"Nah, I'm gonna do that now, ya?" Wakka replied as everyone started up the trail to the village. The trip back was uneventful, aside from a lone coyote attack, which Wakka quickly disposed of with his blitzball, much to Ryan, Matt, and Andy's amazement. By the time they got to the village the sun had set, and everyone split up and wandered around. Exhausted from the days training, Andy, Matt, and Ryan went right to bed.
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"Hey, you really are some kinda freak, ya?" Wakka said as he walked onto the beach, noticing Ryan despite the fact that the sun hadn't risen yet. "I've been looking all over for ya, what's up?"
Ryan shook his head. "Not much, just thinking."
"About what. Sometimes, it ain't so good to think about everything, ya?" Wakka said.
Ryan laughed. "I was just wondering why we are here. Why was it Besaid that we woke up at?"
"Hey, that's a good question, ya? Why did you four show up right here?" Wakka replied.
"To be honest, I'm a little scared." Ryan said quietly after a short period of silence, drawing a very surprised look from Wakka. "It's not your fault, don't worry about that. It's just, my whole life, I've pretty much been a nobody. Only one girl has ever had an interest in me, now she hates my guts. Nobody ever seems to notice me unless I make a scene. One day I just got fed up with making all those scenes, just to be noticed. I just disappeared. Matt and me. We more or less just disappeared, nobody ever noticed us. We were like brothers lost at birth."
"Wow, that's deep." Wakka said quietly.
"And since no one noticed us," Ryan paused, thinking of how to phrase his thoughts, "we decided to be invisible together. We'd make the people that noticed us, few as they were, glad that they did. Those that didn't, well there were a lot of them. Then we came here, and we went from being invisible to being on a blitzball team in a few days. We're friends with a Summoner, we've killed coyotes, and I've been hit by one lightning bolt too many. It's just a big change for how things used to be."
"That doesn't explain why you're scared." Lu said, walking up next to Wakka, still holding her doll.
"Why am I scared? Oh that's easy." Ryan said as he took a deep breath.
"It's just like the deep breath before the plunge, right?" Matt called out, just reaching the beach even though the sun was just starting to creep over the ocean. "That's what you said before, and you've got a damn good sense for danger on you."
"Yeah, the breath before the plunge is about right. Something is coming, and I don't like the feeling it's giving me." Ryan said with a hint of sadness in his voice. "And I'm usually right about these things too. Most of my family is like that. What the hell are you doing up, a few kids show up in your sleep or something?" Ryan asked, but Matt shook his head.
"Well that's a useful trait to have." Lu said flatly. "Being able to sense danger shortly before it appears?"
Ryan shook his head. "No, just the really bad things. Things that other people don't see, don't know about, or just refuse to believe. Like a leader betraying his people and lying about it."
"Oh, well that's still a good thing, ya?" Wakka asked.
"Maybe, but it's not like I've got any real use for it. Remember, we're the ones that go invisible."
"Well if you can go invisible, do it during a blitz game. That'd sure give us an edge, ya?" Wakka said. "Then we'd be able to bring the Crystal Cup back to Besaid, and keep it here without any problems!"
"Well I suggest we go back to the village." Lu said as she turned and started towards the path leading to the village.
"Oh Lu!" Ryan said, suddenly remembering he had been meaning to apologize to her. She stopped and turned. "Sorry about startling you before, when I grabbed you and all." She smiled slightly.
"Oh, I thin that you paid your debt for that."
"Yeah, about that. How'd you do that?" Matt asked, referring to the black magic.
"If we had more time I might have been able to teach you, however with our time coming short I wouldn't be able to teach you even a single spell." Lu said in her monotone voice.
"Actually, these two are going on the same boat as us, ya?" Wakka said causing Lu to stare in surprise. "They joined the Aurochs yesterday, the whole team decided on it."
"I see." Lu said, her small smile growing slightly larger. "Well, then perhaps I have enough time to teach you one spell before we part ways at Luca."
"Only one, darn. Tough luck Matt." Ryan said with a laugh. Lu looked at him oddly. "What?"
"You don't want to learn black magic?" Lu asked, sounding somewhat offended.
"It's got nothing to do with that, I just know what it's like to get hit with a lightning bolt, in case you've forgotten." He said with a grin. "Me, I'd rather learn White Magic, like Yuna has!"
Matt laughed. "You really should play a cleric of Mask man, it fits you so well. (A/N: Mask is the god of thieves in Forgotten Realms Role-Playing Games) You love to use stealth, and you love healing people. And you never did like wearing restrictive protective gear either."
Ryan shrugged. "That's who I am, the stuff just slows me down. Besides, not enough people notice me to warrant wearing armor, and what about you Mr. Spellcaster. You don't exactly wear armor." Ryan turned the question around on Matt who also shrugged.
"Guess you've got me there don't you?" He said with a grin. "One spell does suck, but I guess it's a start. But which type to learn?"
"Oh come on. I'm pretty sure I know what you're going to take. Even though you don't know all the different base spells." Ryan said with a grin.
"There are four: fire, ice, thunder, and water." Lu informed. "It doesn't really bother me which one you learn."
"Now I'm positive I know what he's gonna learn." Ryan said as he lay down on the beach, watching the sunrise.
"I'd be hurt if you didn't." Matt replied.
"Well which one is it?"
"Thunder." The two said at the same time. "It's always thunder with this guy." Ryan finished with a sigh.
'Maybe there's a reason for that.' Matt thought as he thought back to his conversation with the Fayth. 'Yu Yevon, Sin, Dnortih, Vena, Usi, and Zedih, and Lusniec. Lusniec was the guardian angel, Yu Yevon was the strongest god, and Sin was the god of death. That leaves Dnortih, Vena, Usi, and Zedih. And they mentioned something about four elemental gods, and lightning.' Matt was brought out of his thoughts when Wakka's ball hit him in the back of the head.
"Come on, we've gotta get ready for the trip, ya?" Wakka yelled as Matt threw the ball back at the orange-haired blitzer who caught it.
"Shut up, I'm coming already." Matt yelled as he started up the path. By the time they had reached the village Tidus was awake and wandering out of the hut, seemingly half dazed.
"Hey! Sleepyhead! Something I wanna give to you!" Wakka said as they met up with Tidus. He pulled out a sword that looked like its blade was made out of water, thought it was just the metal it was made out of.
"Whoa! You're giving this… to me?" Tidus said as he carefully took the sword from the big man.
'Just what I was thinking Tidus.' Ryan thought as he glanced at Wakka.
"Damn, that's a nice sword." Andy said as he came out of Wakka's hut. "Who's is it?"
"Wakka just gave it to Tidus." Matt informed the late arrival.
"Wakka, that's the sword you gave Chappu." Lu stated in a voice that was a mixture of slight surprise and anger.
"Well he never used it. Where's Yuna?"
"We're taking the same boat as Yuna, right? Why do we gotta wait here?" Tidus asked as he put his new sword away.
"Yuna came to this village ten years ago," Wakka stated, "when the last Calm started."
"The Calm?" Tidus asked.
"Since then she's been like a little sister to me and Lulu. But she had the talent… She became an apprentice. Now, today, she leaves as a Summoner." Wakka finished.
"This is our journey… We should leave together." Lulu added in. Just then they noticed the brown haired summoner coming towards them, struggling to carry way too many things. "You really don't need all that luggage."
Yuna blushed a little. 'So she's shy.' Ryan thought with a small grin while Yuna explained that it was all gifts for the temples they were going to visit. 'Not exactly the greatest job for a person who's shy, if you ask me.'
"Okay, off we go!" Wakka said as he started up the hill. The group continued on at a steady pace until they reached the top of the hill. Suddenly Yuna stopped, and everyone with her.
"Take your time Yuna." Lulu said in the softest voice Ryan, Matt, and Andy could recall her using.
"Yeah, it must be hard leaving after living here for ten years." Ryan added in, cutting Tidus off. Wakka, Lulu, and Yuna walk to the nearby statue and begin to pray.
"Do you three know what's going on?" Tidus asked as the four outsiders waited in confusion.
"It's an ancient custom. People leaving the island pray here for a same trip. Chappu didn't pray that day. Said he'd miss his boat." Wakka informed. After a few more second the three stood up. "That should do it." He said. And they moved on until something that looked like a cross between a human and a lion that had been dyed blue jumped down from some ruins and attacked.
Before it had even landed completely it had sent Tidus and Andy flying to the ground with it's spear, barely missing Matt and Ryan who had been slightly farther back. "Damn man." Ryan yelled as the thing brought its spear around for another attack. As it shot forward towards Ryan he stepped to the side and pushed down on the bottom of his sheath, shooting it up and catching the follow-up swipe on the hilt of his sword.
"Go to hell!" Matt yelled as he took a swipe at the things back. It jumped over the attack, landing behind Ryan who jumped forward, barely avoiding another swipe aimed at his legs. "This thing is pissing me off." Matt stated flatly.
"Come on!" Tidus yelled, charging the thing head on, and receiving another trip to the ground as the thing knocked his legs out from under him.
"That worked well, didn't it?" Andy asked as he started to circle around the thing, staying just out of reach of the deadly spear.
"It's fast." Ryan stated. Matt just looked at him, wondering if he was stupid. He chuckled nervously when he saw Ryan pull the sheath from its holder, spreading his legs so that his knees were in line with his shoulders and slightly bent. His left hand was at the top of the sheath, just beneath the hand guard of his sword, and his right hand was hovering just in front of the pummel.
'Battou Jutsu?' Matt thought with a grim chuckle. "Damn man. Think you can pull that off?" Matt asked uncertainly.
"Do I have a choice in the matter? He's gonna have to block it or dodge it, you guys get him while he's distracted." Ryan whispered the last part, hoping the lion man didn't have abnormally good hearing. 'Come on, take the challenge.' Ryan thought as he watched the lion man knock Tidus to the ground again, Andy quickly following suit.
"Hey big boy blue!" Matt yelled, stepping in front of Ryan and bringing up his axe. "Come get me." 'You'd better be ready for this Ryan.' He thought as the thing charged him, spear flashing forward.
But Matt had already jumped to the right, leaving nothing in between the thing and Ryan. He heard the sound of the steel flying out of the sheath, the crack of something hitting bone, and two grunts followed by two bodies hitting the ground, all before he hit the ground himself. He spun himself around, raising his axe in case the thing was charging him. He blinked in surprise at what he saw.
The thing's spear was cut just before the wood met the metal tip, and it was favoring one leg as it stood up. Ryan had a growing spot of blood where the tip of the spear was embedded in his side, and was holding himself on one knee with his sheath, watching the lion thing carefully, holding his sword tightly in his right hand. Andy, and Tidus were looking at the Ryan, Andy with an expression of disbelief, Tidus with one of surprise.
'Guess it didn't go as well as he'd have liked.' Matt thought with another grim chuckle as he watched Ryan slowly stand up, wincing at the pain that must have been shooting through his side.
"That's enough!" Wakka said suddenly, looking mostly at the lion thing. "You okay Ryan?" He asked.
"I've got a spear head in me, but other then that I'm pretty good. How are you?" Ryan asked sarcastically through gritted teeth.
"Jeez, always with the sarcasm." Andy said with a sigh, not letting the blue assailant out of his sight.
"Not in the mood Andy." Ryan said as he slowly put his sword away and dropped the sheathed weapon to the ground.
"What's with that guy?" Tidus asked as Ryan pulled the metal out of his side so Yuna could heal his wound.
"Thanks." He said with relief as the healing magic finished its work.
"To answer you question Tidus," Lu said, drawing the attention of all the ones who had fought the lion man, "Kimahri Ronso, of the Ronso tribe. He's learned the fiends' way of fighting."
"That's not what I meant!" Tidus replied angrily.
"He's another of Yuna's guardians." Wakka added.
"Sometimes we don't understand him either. Kimahri doesn't talk much anyway." Yuna stated with a giggle. "But he's protected me since I was a child!"
"Well that's good to know I guess." Ryan said as he picked up his sword and put it back on the belt holder. "At least you're never in danger with him around."
"Well now that that's all done, what say we get to the boat?" Tidus asked as he and Wakka started back along the path. They encountered a few fiends along the way, but they quickly got rid of them, and before they realized it they were boarding the boat.
"So, I wonder what Luca is like." Andy stated as the three watched the crowd that had gathered to see the ship off. More then just a few were crying he noted, but didn't bring it up.
"Goodbye!" Yuna yelled one last time as the boat sailed away from port and out into the sea.
Well there you have it people. Finally, a little light is shed on why Ryan, Andy and Matt are even in Spira. I was originally going all the way to Luca with this chapter, but it seemed a little too long compared to my other chapters, so i decided to split it up a little. I hope more people review this.